No charges yet in shooting at Danville police chief's home

By JASON SCHREIBERUnion Leader CorrespondentApril 10. 2013 10:36PMDANVILLE - The Rockingham County Attorney's Office has begun reviewing a State Police report on the investigation into the death of a teenager at the home of Danville Police Chief Wade Parsons.

County Attorney James Reams said he hopes to "finalize decisions" by Friday on whether to file charges.

State Police refused to provide a copy of their report after the New Hampshire Union Leader formally asked that the document be made public under the state's right-to-know law.

In a written response, attorney Marta Modigliani, representing the state Department of Safety, said the report was "compiled for law enforcement purposes."

Citing previous case law, Modigliani said the records were exempt from disclosure because the "production of such records or information could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings."

State Police began investigating after a 15-year-old boy died inside Parsons' Danville residence on March 11. Authorities responded to the home after a shooting was reported.

The teen is the son of Parsons' girlfriend.

According to State Police, the teen is believed to have been home alone at the time of the death.

Police described the case as an "untimely death" investigation, but have said the incident doesn't appear to have been accidental.

They have not commented on whether it was a suicide or whether any of the chief's firearms may have been involved.

The medical examiner's office has also refused to release the cause and manner of death, citing privacy concerns for the family.

Parsons took time off following the death, but has since returned to work.

Selectman Shawn O'Neil spoke with State Police after the death investigation began, but said based on what he was told, selectmen saw no reason to take any action against Parsons.